The Genius of Birds

"Birds are astonishingly intelligent creatures. In fact, according to revolutionary new research, some birds rival primates and even humans in their remarkable forms of intelligence. Like humans, many birds have enormous brains relative to their size. Although small, bird brains are packed with neurons that allow them to punch well above their weight. In The Genius of Birds, acclaimed author Jennifer Ackerman explores the newly discovered brilliance of birds and how it came about."--provided by publisher.

From the critics

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A interesting ornithological tour around the globe. From racing pigeons in England to artistically inclined bowerbirds in Australia, the author does a fine job of mixing personal observation and passion with scientific exploration and discovery. Even the most basic bird-based topic (sparrows live everywhere) makes for an interesting study in avian cognition.

And that's the big takeaway here. Birds have advanced neurological processors vis a vis the rest of the animal kingdom. This book attempts to identify, describe and explain how and why some of these interesting behaviors arose, and whether or not they are instinct or intellect. Or some combination of the two. Enjoy learning more about your feathered friends, but stop there; this book doesn't have any major takeaways or applications for your own day to day life. The birds, really, don't provide us any useful insights into our own behavior.

If you're a bird lover, this is a must read. If you've caught yourself interested or entertained by the activity at a backyard feeder, this is a good weekend page turner. If you think birds are weird, well, this book might just provide all the evidence you need.

Not a complete description of the intelligence of birds, but a well written description of some aspects. Includes tool use; voice, including dialects; reproductive behavior; the adaptive power of certain species; bird brains; migration; the effects of global warming. Clearly Ackerman loves birds, though her approach is more journalistic than scientific--i.e. she doesn't do the science herself. I loved her punning approach to language about birds. I'd have liked maps and photos, too.

The writing is okay, if dull and plodding. The author has a strong bias, not always backed up by evidence. She made a huge blunder with her explanation of odds (The Price is Right). And few drawings, never labelled, no maps, diagrams or photos.

If you've ever wondered how smart birds are and how they use their intelligence, this is the book to read. It's a fascinating look at bird intelligence, how they demonstrate it, how we measure and study it, why some birds are smarter than others, and the mysteries that still remain about bird intelligence and how they map their environment. It's geared towards interested laypeople (and birders!) and does a good job of explaining complex scientific concepts without dumbing it down or getting bogged by jargon.

Little could be added to the "Opinions" above. This is a book that will surely appeal to those dedicated bird enthusiasts as well as those seeking the fundamentals of their future survival. Not always an 'easy' read with the in depth exploration of subject and continual reference to source. Yet, the references substantiate these studies, and is indication of the world wide expression and pursuit of this knowledge. What I observe is that Russians, Chinese, African, et al have a dedication to the 'feathered friend' community, sans politics. Many theories, and disagreements, yet the value of the discussion speaks to the search. This book encompasses climate change, adaptability, survival skills and evolution. Rich in subject matter for a worthy read and consideration on many levels.

Summary

Have you ever wondered how smart birds are and how they use their intelligence? This book looks at bird intelligence, how they demonstrate it, how we measure and study it, why some birds are smarter than others, and the mysteries that still remain about bird intelligence and some extraordinary achievements by these small flying creatures. It's geared towards the interested public (including birders) and explains complex scientific concepts without dumbing it down or getting bogged by jargon.